Sunday Bulletin

THE LORD’S DAY - SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP

Morning Service / Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն…9:00 am

Divine Liturgy / Ս.Պատարագ …………………..…..9:45 am

SACRED LECTIONS OF THE LITURGY

THIS WEEK: Isaiah 38:1-8, Hebrews 1:1-14, Luke 17:1-10 NEXT WEEK: Isaiah 40:18-31, Hebrews 4:16-5:10, Luke 18:9-14

LECTOR: Wesley Howe

St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit 22001 Northwestern Highway l Southfield, MI 48075

248.569.3405 (phone) l 248.569.0716 (fax) www.stjohnsarmenianchurch.org

The Reverend Father Garabed Kochakian, Pastor

Clergy residing within the St. John parish and community: The Reverend Father Diran Papazian, Pastor Emeritus

The Reverend Father Abraham Ohanesian

Deacon Rubik Mailian, Director of Sacred Music and Pastoral Assistant Ms. Margaret Lafian, Organist

Our Church and Parish is a place where . . .

- A l l p e o p l e a r e w e l c o m e - E v e r y p e r s o n i s a m i n i s t e r - T h e w o r l d i s o u r c o l l e c t i v e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y - D i s c i p l e m a k i n g i s o u r g o a l , a n d - W o r s h i p i s o u r d u t y a n d d e l i g h t

Welcome! We welcome you to the Divine Liturgy/Soorp Badarak and invite all who are Baptized and Chrismated in, or are in communion with, the Armenian Church to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If you are new to our parish and would like information about our many parish groups, please ask any Parish Council member on duty at the lobby desk. Make certain you sign our Guest Book before you leave so we can be in touch. Enter to worship the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you and depart with His love to serve others.

DECEMBER 15, 2013—THE ARMENIAN YEAR 1462

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT—ST. JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS

ՅԻՍՆԱԿԻ ՉՈՐՐՈՐԴ ԿԻՐԱԿԻ—Ս. ՅԱԿՈԲ ՄԾԲՆԱՅ ՀԱՅՐԱՊԵՏ

GENERAL INFORMATION

PARISH COUNCIL OF ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH OF GREATER DETROIT

P a r i s h O f f i c e H o u r s : M o n d a y - F r i d a y , 9 : 0 0 a m — 5 : 0 0 p m A f t e r h o u r s i n a n e m e r g e n c y , p l e a s e c o n t a c t :

P a s t o r ’ s C e l l : 2 4 8 - 2 2 5 - 9 8 8 8 A d m i n i s t r a t o r ’ s C e l l : 2 4 8 - 8 8 0 - 8 3 9 1

Visits to the Hospitalized and Homebound Please phone the Church Office when you or someone you love is admitted to the hospital and would like a visit from the Pastor. If you have an upcoming surgery, please consider requesting your name be included in the “Prayers for the Sick and Hospitalized.” Those who are homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion at home should phone the Church Office.

Home Blessing If you would like the Pastor to visit your home and offer a home blessing, please contact the Church Office.

Baptism Parents may prepare for the baptism of their child before he or she is born. For more information, phone the Church Secretary.

Marriage Phone the Church Secretary at least nine months in advance of your pro-posed wedding date. Wedding packets are available at the Church Office.

Parish Membership If you are interested in becoming a member of the St. John par-ish, please speak to a Parish Council member on Sunday, or phone the Church Office.

Bulletin Requiem requests and announcements for the Sunday Bulletin are due in the Church Office by 5:00 pm on Wednesday.

Requiem Requests may be submitted to the Church Office by mail, phone, fax 248-569-0716, or email to mkafafian@sjachurch.org no later than 5:00 pm Wednesday prior to the Sunday requested. Request forms are available in the Church Lobby. Ask a Parish Council member.

Karmen A. Santourian, Chairman

Gary Hachigian, Vice Chairman

Peter S. Egigian, Treasurer

Marianne Dardarian, Secretary

Jacqueline ElChemmas, Asst Treasurer

Linda Tiffany, Asst Secretary

Dr. Mary Alani, Advisor

Jeffrey E. Axt, Advisor

George Boyagian, Advisor

Ardis Gregory, Advisor

John Yavruian, Advisor

Gloria Korkoian, First Alternate

Cathy Zwinck, Second Alternate

TODAY’S GOSPEL: Luke 17:1-10

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and say, “I repent,” you must forgive him." The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, 'Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'”

ԱՅՍՕՐՈՒԱՅ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ—ՂՈՒԿԱՍ 17:1-10

Յիսուս ըսաւ իր աշակերտներուն. «Անկարելի է որ գայթակղութիւններ չի

գան. բայց վա՜յ անոր, որուն ձեռքով կու գան: Աւելի աղէկ է, որ անոր

պարանոցէն իշու ջաղացքի քար մը կախուի ու ծովը ձգուի, քան թէ այս

պզտիկներէն մէկը գայթակղեցնէ: Զգուշութիւն ըրէք ձեր անձերուն: Եթէ քու

եղբայրդ քեզի դէմ մեղանչէ, յանդիմանէ զանիկա: Եթէ ապաշխարէ, ներէ անոր:

Եթէ օրը եօթը անգամ քեզի դէմ մեղանչէ ու օրը եօթը անգամ դառնայ քեզի ու

ըսէ. ‘Կ’ապաշխարեմ’, պէտք է ներես անոր»:

Առաքեալները ըսին Տիրոջը. «Մեր հաւատքը աւելցուր»: Տէրը ըսաւ.

«Եթէ մանանեխի հատի չափ հաւատք ունենայիք, այս թթենիին կրնայիք

ըսէլ. ‘Արմատաքի խլուէ ու ծովուն մէջ տնկուէ’, ան ալ պիտի հնազանդէր

ձեզի»:

«Բայց ձեզմէ ո՞վ է այն մարդը, որ ունենայ երկրագործ կամ հովիւ

ծառայ մը, որ անիկա երբ ըսէ անոր թէ՝ ‘Անցիր սէղան նստէ’: Հապա չը՞սեր

անոր թէ՝ ‘Պատրաստէ իմ ընթրիքս ու գոտիդ կապած ինծի

սպասաւորութիւն ըրէ, մինչեւ ես ուտեմ ու խմեմ ու ետքը դուն ալ կեր ու

խմէ’: Միթէ շնորհակա՞լ կ’ըլլայ այն ծառային, իրեն հրամայուած բաները

կատարելուն համար: Չեմ կարծեր: Նոյնպէս դուք, երբ բոլոր ձեզի հրամայուած

բաները ընէք, ըսէք, թէ՝ ’Մենք անպիտան ծառաներ ենք, քանզի ինչ որ

պարտական էինք ընելու՝ ըրինք’»:

B A S H D O N H O K E H A N K S D Y A N REQUIEM SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO SLEEP IN CHRIST

Today, during the Divine Liturgy, we offer our prayers as the community of St. John’s for the souls of the departed servants of Christ.

HELEN NAZARIAN POMPEIAN, 1st Year, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunt, Cousin Requested by Janet, Edward, Matthew & Grant Mardigian Arthur & Gloria Melkonian Lorrie & Philip Keila SUSAN AMBOIAN CURTISS, 2nd Year, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Niece, Aunt, Khnamee Requested by Nick Curtiss & Matthew Elizabeth Amboian Kimberly & Robert Simonian & Family Robert & Cindy Amboian & Family Armen Boladian Diane Curtiss Nicole Burgess Mary McKerrell Mary Simonian & Family DOLORES JAMGOCHIAN, 13th Year, Mother, Grandmother, Sister-in-law GEORGE JAMGOCHIAN, 9th Year, Father, Grandfather, Brother GEORGE C. JAMGOCHIAN, 5th Year, Brother, Uncle, Nephew Requested by Susan & Sam Subotich Linda & David Bryan & Family Charles & Lisa Jamgochian & Family Dianne Jamgochian Todd & Jackie Jamgochian & Family June Mekjian MICHAEL SIMON, 10th Year, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Uncle, Cousin Requested by Jeff Simon & Family June Mekjian Chuck & Rose Simon Robert Simon Rob & Lisah Millward & Family

PAULINE SUBOTICH, 1st Year, Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother Requested by Nicholas & Crystal Subotich & Family Charna & Bill Misajlovski & Family Marianne & Tom Naumovski & Family Sam & Sue Subotich KOKO ISHKANIAN, 16th Year, Loving Brother ISHKAN ISHKANIAN, 8th Year, Beloved Father LINDA ISHKANIAN, 3rd Year, Loving Mother Requested by Ida Ishkanian

JUDITH A. CASSEL, 24th Year, Mother, Grandmother Requested by Daniel, Christopher, Layla & Carson Kujawa

DAY BY DAY

AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY / CHRISTMAS PARTY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH

NOON-2:00 PM

IN THE NURSERY ROOM

BRING A DISH TO PASS . . .

ALL ARE WELCOME!

MEN’S SOCIETY SPONSORS—MAN UP

3RD ANNUAL OVERNIGHT RETREAT

“Man Alive—But Are You Living” — Living the Gospel of Christ

January 24-25, 2014 (Friday/Saturday) - Facilitator: Fr. Tateos Abdalian

Embassy Suites, Livonia — See fliers in the church lobby.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND HOSPITALIZED

George Douroujalian Margaret Kachigian Philip Keila William Kemler Sirvart Mezian Brian Serlin Vin Thompson

ALTAR FLOWERS

The poinsettia plants adorning the altar today and throughout the Christmas season were presented to the church by the

Anusbigian Family and Westborn Market.

FACILITY / HOLIDAY CLOSURES . . .

ST. JOHN'S ENTIRE COMPLEX WILL BE CLOSED:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25TH (WESTERN CHRISTMAS DAY)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1ST (NEW YEARS DAY)

ALSO, THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED: MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH (ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS DAY)

BAKE SALE TODAY . . . Enhance your holiday table with delicious homemade baked goods. Visit the table in the main hall during Fellowship Hour.

WE BELIEVE—HAVADAMK—ՀԱՒԱՏԱՄՔ The Nicene Creed sums up all our basic beliefs. We recite or chant it when we gather to celebrate the Divine Liturgy/Soorp Badarak, and in the sacrament services of Baptism and Marriage. The Nicene Creed, written in the city of Nicea, became part of our Badarak in the mid-Fifth Century. There are 12 verses that sum up the faith of the Church.

Verse 9: Who [the Holy Spirit] came down upon the Jordan, preached through the Apos-tles and dwelled in the Saints. Vor echn ee Hortanan, karozyats harakyalsun, yev punagetsav ee soorpsun. At the baptism of Jesus it all began as John 1:32 describes, “I saw the Spirit descend as a

dove from heaven, and it remained upon him. And the Holy Spirit lives in the Apostles and

Saints… “And they [the Apostles] were filled with the Holy Spirit” and began to speak in

tongues (Acts 2: 4), “Gather my saints unto me, who made a covenant” (Psalm 50:5) “Do

you not know that you are God’s Holy temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you”

(1 Corinthians 3:16).

Job Posting—St. John Armenian Church

CUSTODIAN—PART-TIME, VARIABLE HOURS (DAYS, EVENINGS, WEEKENDS)

PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME WITH REFERENCES

to Tom Stamboulian, administrator, email: custodian@gmx.us

St. John Armenian Church is an equal opportunity employer.

PARISH BOOKSTORE

NEW FROM ARMENIA . . .

Unique handcrafted colorful worry beads, tablecloths,

table runners and silver items.

Visit the Parish Bookstore today and

during business hours Monday - Friday.

Books and CDs make great gifts...

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK

Sun, Dec 15 DIVINE LITURGY

CHURCH SCHOOL BLANKET PROJECT

Mon, Dec 16 Men’s Basketball, 6:30 pm, Rec Center

Nominating Committee Meeting, 7:30 pm. Conf Rm

Tues, Dec 17 Senior Lunch, 12:00 pm, Veterans Building

Girls Basketball, 7:00 pm, Gym

Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 pm, Ararat Rm

Wed, Dec 18 Afternoon Bible Study, 12:00 PM, Nursery

Boys Basketball, 6:30 pm, Gym

Men’s Society Meeting, 7:00 pm, Vartan Rm

Women’s Guild Board Meeting, 7:00 pm, Conf Rm

Thurs, Dec 19 Kids Basketball, 5:30 pm, Gym

Komitas Choir Practice, 7:00 pm, Ararat Rm

W e l c o m e

We welcome you today as you enter the Church for Badarak. Please respect the sanctity of our worship at all times, refraining from the use of any photographic, recording or filming equipment, cellular telephones, or any other similar devices in the sanctuary, nearby vestibules, or other adjacent areas during worship. Such ac-tivity is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the Parish Priest. If you have any questions, or would like to obtain a more detailed transcript of this policy, please contact us at 248.569.3405. We thank you for your cooperation.

PLEASE NOTE . . .

TUESDAY LUNCH CLUB (SENIOR LUNCH) WILL BE CANCELLED ON

DECEMBER 24TH AND DECEMBER 31ST

DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS.

THE REGULAR SCHEDULE WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 7TH

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

St. John’s Church School—10:15 am until 12:15 pm, children ages 5-17 receive instruction in the Arme-

nian Apostolic Orthodox faith, Armenian church traditions, history and sacred music.

Bags of Blessings for the use of children who come to worship with their parents. If you need help keeping

little ones quiet while in church, please pick up a tote bag before entering the sanctuary, and return it when you leave church.

Moms and Manoogs We’ve been busy getting our older manoogs off to school and are now ready to re-

sume our playgroup. We will meet on the third Friday of the month from 10-noon and have fun things planned for the winter months, so please join us. To have your name added to the email list please contact: Kristen Gus-tafson (248)765-0471 or kristeng@outlook.com

CHURCH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

TODAY——Classes in session

Dec 22—Classes in session

Dec 29—No classes

FOR OUR CHILDREN

MUSIC MINISTRY IN OUR PARISH

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD IN 2015

Join the choir in preparing concerts for the 100th Anniversary of the Arme-

nian Genocide. Rehearsals will start in February 2014

CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Ages 7-9 rehearse Sunday afternoon 4:00 – 5:00 pm; Ages 10-13 rehearse Sunday afternoon 5:00-6:00 pm; Rehearsals will be at Deacon Ru-bik’s home

MEN’S CHOIR:

Will meet Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 pm at St. John

WOMEN’S CHOIR:

Will meet Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm at St. John

Celebrate our culture and heritage on this historical and momentous occasion. Contact Deacon Rubik Mailian to join. Tel: (248) 569-3405 or rubik@sjachurch.org

CD of Armenian Sacred Songs recorded by the Komitas Choir is available now at the Parish Bookstore.

SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES . . .

WESTERN CHRISTMAS EVE

Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 10:00 pm

Lessons and Carols

All are invited to a Christmas Tea Hosted by the ACYOA Seniors

following the service.

ARMENIAN ‘CHRISTMAS EVE’ DAY * SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014

Vespers and Reading of Prophesies — 10:00 am

Divine Liturgy — 11:00 am

A Christmas Family Luncheon will be hosted by the Church School in the Cultural

Hall following worship services.

Adults $18.00; Children no charge.

Please RSVP Alberta Godoshian 248.476.4638

by January 3rd for tables of 8 or more.

THEOPHANY / EPIPHANY

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014

Festal Divine Liturgy—10:30 am Blessing of the Waters

Godfather of the Cross: Armen John Lucassian

A Christmas Luncheon will be hosted by the Women’s Guild in the Cultural Hall

following worship services. We suggest a free will offering. However, please RSVP

by January 3rd to the Church Office at 248.569.3405.

WOMEN’S GUILD NEWS

BAKE SALE TODAY—Delicious handmade baked goods are available for purchase after church services today in the Cultural Hall. It is a great time to prepare for the Holiday Season. You and your guests are sure to be delighted.

POON PAREGENTAN: AN ARMENIAN MARDI GRAS

DINNER-DANCE

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014

Join us in celebrating the traditional Armenian

“Day of Good Living” before the beginning of the

austere season of Lent. A Mardi Gras theme with

top musicians from Philadelphia and Detroit will make this the event

of the year.

$55 DINNER AND DANCING, CASH BAR, $30 AFTER 10PM DANCE ONLY.

WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS IN THE MAIL.

The Women's Guild invites you to become a member. For information please call Terry Palaian, 313-929-0926.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND A

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON, MONDAY, JANUARY

6TH, HOSTED BY THE WOMEN’S GUILD FOR

ALL PARISHIONERS IN THE CULTURAL HALL

FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY. JOIN

YOUR FELLOW PARISHIONERS ON THIS JOY-

OUS OCCASION FOR A DELICIOUS LUNCH.

FREE WILL OFFERING SUGGESTED. PLEASE

CALL 248-569-3405 BY JANUARY 3RD FOR

RESERVATIONS.

ON LEAVING THE SANCTUARY AFTER BADARAK

THE PSALM OF DISMISSAL - PSALM 34

Orhnetseets uzDer hamenayn zham, hamenayn zham

orhnootyoon nora ee peran eem.

Օրհնեցից ըզՏէր յամենայն ժամ, յամենայն ժամ, oրհնութիւն նորա ի բերան իմ:

I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall be at all times in my mouth.

When approaching the Holy Gospel at the end of the Divine Liturgy you say:

Heeshestzeh Der zamenaym Badarakus koh.

Յիշեսցէ Տէր զամենայն Պատարագս քո:

May the Lord remember all your offerings.

The Priest answers:

Datseh kez Der usd srdee koom yev zamenayn khorhoortus koh ee parees na

gadarsestseh.

Տացէ քեզ Տէր ըստ սրտի քում եւ զամենայն խորհուրդս քո ի բարիս նա

կատարեսցէ:

May the Lord grant you according to your own heart, and fulfill all your counsel in goodness.

(Psalm 20:4)

When taking Mahs the GIVER says:

Mahs yev pazheen yegheetseen kez ee Soorp Badarakes.

Մաս եւ բաժին եղիցին քեզ ի Սուրբ Պատարագէս:

May this be to you a share and portion of the Holy Sacrifice.

The RECEIVER says:

Pahjeen eem Asdvadz haveedyan.

Բաժին իմ Աստուած յաւիտեան:

My portion is God forever.

THE KISS OF PEACE

The GIVER says: Christ is revealed amongst us.

Kreesdos ee mech mer haydnetsav.

The RECEIVER says: Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

Orhnyal eh haydnootyoonun Kreesdosee.